| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Torah Stories | 11/12/2009 |
Q: I am sorry if you answered this questions yesterday. I put in my e-mail incorrectly so I didn't get ...
A: If one believes that the Torah is from G-d then you have to believe that the stories are true. G-d ...
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| Bible Storie | 11/11/2009 |
Q: I've been asked many times but I don't have an answer that I feel is adequate so can you please ...
A: If one believes that the Torah is from G-d then you have to believe that the stories are true. G-d ...
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| Jewish Ancestry | 11/3/2009 |
Q: My nephew had recently gone to ancestry.com and found our background. My Grandmother maiden name on ...
A: Katz is a very Jewish surname, usually indicating a family from the priestly line, similar to the ...
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| afterlife | 11/2/2009 |
Q: Shalom Rabbi, do Jews believe in heaven and if so, who goes? Do Jews belive in hell and if so, who ...
A: Yes we believe in Heaven and Hell. Completely righteous individuals go to Heaven straight away. ...
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| Creation | 10/30/2009 |
Q: I am a Christian (worshipping in the Anglican tradition) I am studying theology (as my minor) at ...
A: What you read in the beginning of Genesis is the true account of creation. Evolution runs contrary ...
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| aliyah | 10/25/2009 |
Q: Rabbi, I converted through a Conservative process about 8 years ago on my own--not for marriage. I ...
A: If you are married to a Jewish man, I don't think the State of Israel cares about anything else. As ...
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| Meaning of "sin" | 9/29/2009 |
Q: Rabbi, we are accustomed to saying that on Yom Kipper we atone for our "sins". Is this the correct ...
A: There are all kinds of different words for sins in Hebrew each one expresses a different meaning. ...
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| head or body bobbing | 9/12/2009 |
Q: I read or heard somewhere that Jews,sometime during the Muslim rule, were not allowed to ride upon ...
A: The historical facts about the Muslims banning Jews from riding camels sounds right, but the theory ...
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| blood/temple | 8/28/2009 |
Q: I would like to know about the sacrifices at the time of the passover in ancient Israel. I would ...
A: Blood from the neck at the time of slaughter was collected in a basin, part of it was then sprinkled ...
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| Women's Hair | 8/23/2009 |
Q: I am an American girl who is considering converting to Judaism. I should add that I am involved with ...
A: Jewish women cover their hair not because it is shameful but rather because of the laws of modesty. ...
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| Kosher Cooking | 7/22/2009 |
Q: Im new to this Kosher Diet. My husband is Jewish and I am not. I would just like to ask a few ...
A: Kosher veal and beef is completely permissible. Chicken and milk was forbidden by the Rabbis. Kosher ...
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| follow-up question on 12 gems | 7/19/2009 |
Q: I think you may have left out the colour & properties of the gem belonging to Dan. What does it ...
A: The color of Dan's stone was opal. The image upside down represented the idea that Dan turned things ...
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| Gems of the 12 tribes | 7/19/2009 |
Q: This comes from the book known as the Midrash. Each gem was appropriate to each tribe. A great ...
A: Sorry for the delay in answering. 1.The Sages I was referring to were the leading Torah scholars of ...
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| the banners and gems representing each of the 12 tribes | 7/17/2009 |
Q: When the 12 tribes left Egypt, each had its own banners and the precious stones on the High Priest's ...
A: This comes from the book known as the Midrash. Each gem was appropriate to each tribe. A great ...
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| Memorising the Jewish scriptures | 7/17/2009 |
Q: I would like to find out, are Orthodox Jews required or strongly encouraged to memorise their entire ...
A: The Oral Law is very expansive, but the main part is the Mishne which is very brief and then the ...
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| the banners and gems representing each of the 12 tribes | 7/14/2009 |
Q: When the 12 tribes left Egypt, each had its own banners and the precious stones on the High Priest's ...
A: Here is the info you wanted for each tribe. No.1 is the emblem on the flag 2. is the colour of the ...
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| Hebrew the original language | 7/14/2009 |
Q: Can you verify if Hebrew was the original language before YHVH caused men to have different ...
A: Yes, Hebrew was the original language with no rabbinical conflict on this point. Hebrew is different ...
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| Memorising the Jewish scriptures | 7/14/2009 |
Q: I would like to find out, are Orthodox Jews required or strongly encouraged to memorise their entire ...
A: We are not required. Nevertheless it used to be done fairly effortlessly in previous generations. ...
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| the death penalty... | 7/11/2009 |
Q: under what laws in torah does it justify jewish men not carrying out the death penalty for crimes ...
A: In order for a Jewish court to sit on a capital case the Sanhedrin (The Jewish High Court of 71 ...
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| Noahide Laws | 5/19/2009 |
Q: I am currently taking Judaism classes online with a Rabbi. I love Judaism, every aspect of it and I ...
A: Sorry for the delay in replying. Concerning attending synagogue you really have to ask the Rabbi ...
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| general questions. | 4/29/2009 |
Q: shalom rabbi.iam from india.i have some questions to you. 1.in exoduss 35:2 what was written in ...
A: 1/ Do you want me to quote the Hebrew? 2/ So we should not have any distractions. 3/Look in the ...
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| torah study while rabbie learning | 4/28/2009 |
Q: In our shul there are two or three people who study loudly at the end of the table while our rabbi ...
A: Of course they are wrong but unfortunately it doesn't seem like anything is going to stop them. You ...
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| Next lIfe | 3/10/2009 |
Q: It has been a long time since I asked a question but one has been bothering me. Two part question. ...
A: The "will of G-d" is Jewish law (Torah)as it has been transmitted from Mount Sinai. Within this ...
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| Bar Mitzvah & puberty | 2/25/2009 |
Q: I understand that according to strict Jewish law in order for a boy to become a bar mitzvah he must ...
A: Sorry for the delay in answering. Yes he his definitely eligible for a bar mitzvah. He just wouldn't ...
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| the law of moses in relation to sex.. | 2/12/2009 |
Q: in the Law of Moses, there is nothing againstg premarital sex. However, we are told to follow all ...
A: Sorry for the delay in replying. In general you should know that intamicy is resrved for marriage. ...
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| the law of moses in relation to sex.. | 2/10/2009 |
Q: in the Law of Moses, there is nothing againstg premarital sex. However, we are told to follow all ...
A: There are no loopholes. According to Jewish law you cannot be even alone with a women you are not ...
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| What makes me Jewish? | 1/10/2009 |
Q: My father is Jewish, but my mother was not born Jewish. At the age of 3, when her biological ...
A: This is very straight forward. Your mother did not have to have been born Jewish for you to be ...
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| conversion and non-Jewish family | 1/7/2009 |
Q: I have a question regarding Christian family memberts and post conversion. Is it true that because ...
A: Firstly not all forms of Christianity are idolatry ie the Protestant branch. Secondly if there is no ...
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| conversion and non-jewish family | 1/2/2009 |
Q: I've got a question regarding what happens post conversion to a converts interactions with their ...
A: First a disclaimer : these questions should be directed to a real live Rav who knows everyone ...
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| kohen convert marriage and children | 11/27/2008 |
Q: I'm email to get your advise on a matter which I need some guidance on a situation I'm facing in ...
A: Here are the answers to your questions:- 1)There are 2 types of forbidden marriages. One type (like ...
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| the fear of God | 9/10/2008 |
Q: when moses tells us to fear God does he mean to be scared of God? Because at Mt. Sinai he says ...
A: There are two levels of fear of G-d. The first is fear of punishment and the second is being in awe ...
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| Sabbath Commandment Ex 20 vs Darwin | 8/4/2008 |
Q: My understanding is that Exodus 20:8-11 makes it pretty clear that we are to keep the 7th day ...
A: "he assured me that the Orthodox Jews promote Darwinism as fact." Nothing could be further from the ...
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| conversion.... | 7/15/2008 |
Q: i am currently a 20 year old male of Japanese descent living in the UK and have been trying my ...
A: I had German language teacher that used to call me a worm so we have something in common. The first ...
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| Tallit | 7/11/2008 |
Q: Why isn't the tallit worn on Rosh Hashsanna when it falls on sabbath? And is it true women are ...
A: It is forbidden to carry things in the public domain on Shabbat. The Rabbis enacted that we don't ...
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| Tallit | 7/10/2008 |
Q: Why isn't the tallit worn on Rosh Hashsanna when it falls on sabbath? And is it true women are ...
A: The tallit IS worn on Rosh hashanna even when it falls on shabbat (perhaps you are confusing it with ...
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| shoah | 5/30/2008 |
Q: With all the horrible things that were done to Jews during World War II what should Jews do? Should ...
A: Sorry for the delay in answering. As a nation we go on. We don't forget what has happened but we ...
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| revenge! | 5/24/2008 |
Q: the jewish law says to not carry out revenge, but also to take an eye for an eye. are they not the ...
A: Carrying out revenge can be even when you make a decision to deny someone some benefit based on them ...
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| heart, soul, spirit | 5/3/2008 |
Q: upon my reading of the Old Testament, i find it mentions the heart, the soul and the spirit. I ...
A: These are very hard terms to define without seeing them in the context of a specific verse. So I ...
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| Ten Commandments | 4/8/2008 |
Q: The Commandments given to Moses I find in Exodux,20 and 34 and Deuteronomy 5. Exodus 20 and ...
A: Very good questions! And sorry for the delay in answering them. The 10 commandments were written as ...
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| Marriage question | 4/7/2008 |
Q: B"H Rabbi, I was having a discussion with some work colleagues today and I told them that if your ...
A: The reason why they want to see the Ketubah is so you can show evidence of being Jewish. In the old ...
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| Emancipation of Children | 2/24/2008 |
Q: What is the Jewish tradition with regards to the moral emancipation of children? When is a son or ...
A: Firstly their is no command to "obey father and mother". However there are two other commandments: ...
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| Tabernacle | 2/15/2008 |
Q: I am a Christian minister, and I have studied the Tabernacle of Moses for over 15 years. According ...
A: For sure the the prohibition was only in the Tabernacle itself not the Courtyard. I don't know when ...
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| Exodus 20: 12 | 2/8/2008 |
Q: I am Jewish and have something of a moral crisis regarding Exodus 20:12. For 17 years my father has ...
A: Firstly your father can use a 3rd party to ask for forgiveness. Secondly where the sin committed was ...
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| "dominion" in Gen. 1:26 | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I have been asked to do a topical study on biblical stewardship of Creation. I have heard and read ...
A: The verse cannot be taken out context. It begins by saying, "Let us make Man in Our image, after Our ...
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| Where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob went when they diedd | 1/4/2008 |
Q: I often hear it said that ancient Judaism held out no concept of an Afterlife. I'm not an expert on ...
A: Sorry for the delay in replying. Yes you are right on target. We DEFINITELY believe in an ...
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| The Sabbath | 1/3/2008 |
Q: Shalom! I been pondering on the Sabbath & wondering really when did it begin. I understand that ...
A: It is mentioned in the Midrash that Moses convinced Pharaoh to give us a day off and Moses chose the ...
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| Chumash essay | 12/30/2007 |
Q: I am not sure if I can post this here, but here goes...I have an essay for chumash to do-it has a ...
A: Here are what I think are the answers:- 1)We learn Sefer Bereishis, even though it has very few ...
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| The Sabbath | 12/30/2007 |
Q: Shalom! I been pondering on the Sabbath & wondering really when did it begin. I understand that ...
A: Moses had much more than just a vision on Mount Sinai, the whole nation heard G-d speaking to him. ...
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| Old Testament | 12/23/2007 |
Q: What are the roots of the Old Testament in the Jewish religion specifically concerned with ...
A: Yes it was the whole nation that heard G-d speaking at Mount Sinai. Look at Exodus Ch.19 Verse 9. In ...
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| music in the Temple | 12/18/2007 |
Q: I was reading about instruments that were used in the temple and wonder why we don't use bells, ...
A: The reason why musical instruments are not used in the synagogue on Shabbat is because they are ...
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| Old Testament | 12/18/2007 |
Q: What are the roots of the Old Testament in the Jewish religion specifically concerned with ...
A: The term Old Testament comes from the Christians and is actually an insulting term to use to an ...
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| The Commandments | 12/16/2007 |
Q: Rabbi Fox, One last question, and then I'll stop badgering you. You mentioned that without ...
A: You couldn't have picked a better proof for me. What does it mean "For this commandment", according ...
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| Cain and Abel | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I have a three-part question. After Cain slew Abel, Cain said: "..it will come to pass, that every ...
A: Was machte Yid? You have a very lively mind. Eternal life would have been down here. The sin of ...
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| Exodus 20: 12 | 12/11/2007 |
Q: I have always been... uneasy... over the question of translations--whether of religious or secular ...
A: The translation I have is as follows:- Honor your father and your mother, so that your days will be ...
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| Cain and Abel | 12/11/2007 |
Q: I have a three-part question. After Cain slew Abel, Cain said: "..it will come to pass, that every ...
A: 1/If you look back at answer 1/ you will see that I did address that issue. He was thinking of the ...
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| Cain and Abel | 12/9/2007 |
Q: I have a three-part question. After Cain slew Abel, Cain said: "..it will come to pass, that every ...
A: Here are your answers:- 1/From tradition we know that Cain and Abel had twin sisters. However Cain ...
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| Stoning | 11/3/2007 |
Q: Why were people stoned to death? Was it for just one sin or for iniquities?
A: People were stoned for only certain serious sins like adultery and the desecration of Shabbat. It ...
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| i feel bad and need someone to talk to... | 10/12/2007 |
Q: i'm askin' you, rabbi, because i am jewish. i am constantly feeling bad because this is my ...
A: I am sorry to hear you are going through a hard time. You don't need to feel guilty at all, neither ...
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| A Few Questions | 10/6/2007 |
Q: I am a Christian, but I really enjoy getting Jewish perspective on the Bible. I have a few questions ...
A: Good questions. 1/Well, from the fact that the serpent was cursed that it should go on it's belly, ...
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| rituals in the home | 10/3/2007 |
Q: i was just wondering if you could help me with some coursework i am currently doing, and give me ...
A: Do rituals strengthen the Jewish family? For sure, and I will tell you why. If each person in the ...
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| Honor/ respsect/ love thy children? | 9/2/2007 |
Q: I hope that this is not a case where "one fool can ask a question that a thousand sages cannot ...
A: I am sorry for the delay in replying to you. I found your question very thought provoking and I have ...
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| weddings | 8/18/2007 |
Q: hey i was wondering if you would be able to give me the main script to a jewish wedding. Not the ...
A: The wedding ceremony basically starts with the Rabbi saying the blessing for marriage This begins ...
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| kavanah | 8/16/2007 |
Q: I listen to a radio program in the morning called JM in the AM. They have a feature every day called ...
A: Firstly let me make something clear. When we talk about "kavanah" there are two areas. 1/ Intent for ...
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| Dress Code | 8/13/2007 |
Q: Why are orthodox Jewish women required to dress a certain way?
A: Actually everyone is required to dress a certain way. Even the non-conformist has to dress like a ...
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| Sun around Earth | 6/6/2007 |
Q: Does the Torah say the Sun revolves around the Earth?
A: The Torah talks about the sun going up and down, but this is because it speaks in way we can easily ...
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| Purity of body | 5/27/2007 |
Q: Are there everyday activities that one dedicates to a place on the body relating to purity and ...
A: That is exactly what Judaism is all about, taking the mundane and using it for the holy. The mouth ...
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| Torah/Talmud Questions for comparative study | 5/16/2007 |
Q: I lead a study group at our church (non-denominational Christian). Many in our congregation are new ...
A: 1/ These are still very serious sins. The death penalty can only be administered when we have the ...
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| vav | 4/27/2007 |
Q: Is there any significance of the 7 or 8 pages of the Torah that do not begin with 'and'? Thanks and ...
A: That is a very good observation. I presume that when you refer to "pages" you mean parshas. The ...
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| Am I a Jew? | 4/16/2007 |
Q: "Hi, I am very confused over the distinction between being an ethnic Jew as opposed to an active ...
A: Firstly a disclaimer: I cannot take responsibility for answering such a specific question over the ...
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| creation | 4/1/2007 |
Q: I understand that orthodox jews in the past took the creation as literal 24 hour days. But have ...
A: This view that you are posting is certainly a valid view. In fact the sun wasn't even created till ...
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| Sin | 3/27/2007 |
Q: Q- Why will there be a need for a "sin, guilt, peace and inauguration offerings during the Messianic ...
A: I can only add the following: that there have been righteous Jews through out the exile that have ...
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| Sephard vs Ashkenaz Chumash and Siddur | 3/27/2007 |
Q: Can you please tell me what the difference is between them? I would like to buy a Torah but I do not ...
A: There are a lot of differences between the Sefard and Ashkenaz siddurim in terms of the text. It ...
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| Chad Gad-Yah | 3/26/2007 |
Q: I hope you are able to answer this question. My husband and I have moved away from family (1500 ...
A: There are many explanations of Chad Gad Ya. The one I will tell you is from the Vilna Goan. Chad ...
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| Story of Lot | 3/19/2007 |
Q: I am intrested to know if the names of Lot daughters are mentioned in the torah and if not why not?
A: No their names are not mentioned in the Torah. A name, according to the Torah, is not just a way a ...
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| Offering | 3/6/2007 |
Q: Yes, it does....but can you tell me how this is translated for today(if at all). I mean "today" we ...
A: I am glad I was able to answer your question. The only way to deal with sin today is through ...
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| Elijah | 3/6/2007 |
Q: Q- Regarding these two passages: -Is this literal, and is this the same Elijah spoken of in the ...
A: Elijah taken up to heaven in a whirlwind is to be taken literally and it is the same Elijah ...
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| Offering | 3/6/2007 |
Q: Shalom- Lev 5:1 says, “IF a person sins in hearing the utterance of an oath, and is a witness, ...
A: There are other people mentioned that have to bring this guilt-offering (verses 2-4) then in Verse 5 ...
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| Giving | 2/28/2007 |
Q: One more question and hopefully I will have enough to really finish. What would you suggest in a ...
A: Firstly thanks for your nice comments and ratings. In answer to your question, the half shekel ...
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| Giving | 2/27/2007 |
Q: Do you have the scripture references for each offering and is it still practiced that way today? I ...
A: Glad it was helpful. These tithes should not be considered offerings but rather as gifts or ...
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| Giving | 2/27/2007 |
Q: I have been trying to gather information about how the levites handled the tithes that were brought ...
A: The tithes that the Levites received were for themselves not for the Cohen (priest) or the upkeep of ...
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